Review: Fuji 35mm f/1.4 XF Lens

On the Fuji X-Pro1, the Fujinon 35mm f/1.4 acts as the equivalent of the fast 50mm f/1.4, the standard prime for so many photographers. The 50mm focal length is regarded as a versatile lens for so many reasons, including a close approximation to the human eye and the ability of the lens to assume both wide-angle and telephoto qualities, depending on its use.

At f/1.4, this 35mm is the fastest of all the Fuji XF lenses, which make it an amazing thing to pair with the already excellent low light and high ISO capabilities of the Fuji X-Pro1. In this review of the Fuji 60mm f/2.4 macro, we take a look at an analysis of the image quality, optical character and plenty of sample images.

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The Fuji 35mm f/1.4 reviewed here was kindly provided to me from B&H Photo Video in New York City.

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Now with that out of the way, let’s get to the review.

X-Mount Lens Overview

For an overview of the X-Mount system that deals with the overall handling and general performance of Fuji’s XF lenses, see my comprehensive X-Mount lens review. And if you haven’t already, please see my in-depth review of the Fuji X-Pro1 Mirrorless Camera.

The Fast “50″ – In The Box

Design

Image Quality

Strengths

Flat out, if you own one Fuji X-Mount lens, make it the Fuji 35mm f/1.4. Yes, it’s that good. Not just in comparison to the other X-Mount lenses available, but in terms of absolute empirical lens quality.

This lens is sharp. Sharp wide open and sharp stopped down. Depth of field aside, it’s sharp across the entire frame at f/4 – maybe even before that. And I don’t mean sharp in the center and kind of sharp elsewhere, but pixel-level sharpness even at the very corners of the frame.

Even at wide apertures, contrast is very good and chromatic aberrations are well controlled. The Fuji 35mm f/1.4 is the kind of lens you can shoot at any aperture and know that it will deliver.

One bonus feature of this lens is the relatively short minimum focusing distance, which allows for 1/5 magnification. Here, we’re not quite in true macro territory, but it is close enough to do some very nice close-up work. In fact, the lens offers almost the same look as the legendary Nikon 55mm f/1.2 CRT Nikkor, which also allows for 1/5 magnification. If you’re a bokeh nut, then shooting at f/1.4 with close-up work is a wild thing indeed.

Weaknesses

Honestly, there isn’t a whole lot that Fuji got wrong with this lens. AF speed is very slightly slower than the Fuji 18mm f/2, but it’s hard to really blame the lens for the patience required when using a contrast detection AF system.

Character

In terms of character, the lens isn’t quite as smooth as the Fuji 60mm f/2.4, but this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Out of focus elements do have a little “bite” wide open at f/1.4, but smooth out as the lens is stopped down.

Sample Images

Fuji 35mm f/1.4 – 1/250 sec at f/5.6 and ISO 200

Fuji 35mm f/1.8 – 1/250 sec at f/1.8 and ISO 200

Fuji 35mm f/1.4 – 1/250 sec at f/1.8 and ISO 200

Fuji 35mm f/1.4 – 1/60 sec at f/4 and ISO 200

Fuji 35mm f/1.4 – 1/125 sec at f/4 and ISO 200

Fuji 35mm f/1.4 – 1/250 sec at f/1.8 and ISO 200

Fuji 35mm f/1.4 – 1/500 sec at f/2 and ISO 200

Rating

• Image Quality: 5/5
• Rendering Character: 5/5
• Focusing Speed: 4/5

Conclusion

If you’re going to buy a single lens or starting lens for the Fuji X-Pro1, make it the Fujinon 35mm f/1.4. Yes, this lens is just that good. Between it’s low light abilities, superlative optical performance, close-focusing, and small size, it’s literally a do-it-all kind of lens if the focal length fits your shooting.

Aside from its slightly slower AF speed compared to the Fuji 18mm f/2, the Fuji 35mm f/1.4 is almost a flawless lens, and even then the AF speed is more of a function of the contrast detection AF system employed by the Fuji X-Pro1.

If you’re a Fuji X-Pro1 owner and you don’t own this lens, you haven’t seen what this camera is capable of. Don’t think, just get it.

• Fuji 35mm f/1.4 at B+H Photo Video
• Fuji 35mm f/1.4 at Amazon.com

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About the author: Todd Owyoung is an internationally published music photographer specializing in concert photography and band portraits. He also grills a mean steak.

Contact Todd for image licensing and assignments wherever the rock show lives. You can also get in touch with Todd via Twitter.

This entry was posted on Monday, July 30th, 2012 at 4:47 pm and is filed under Music Photography and tagged with fuji 18mm f/2 review, fuji 35mm f/1.4 review, fuji 60mm f/2.4 review, fuji x-pro1 lenses, x-mount lenses review. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.